Pakistan interim govt refuses to put Musharraf on trial for treason

Islamabad: In a temporary relief to former military ruler Pervez Musharraf, Pakistan's caretaker government today informed the Supreme Court that it would not file treason charges against him, saying such a move was not part of its mandate.

The interim administration, formed in March to conduct the May 11 general election, conveyed its position in a reply submitted to the apex court. Several lawyers have filed petitions seeking Musharraf's trial for treason and the apex court had sought the government's position on the issue.

In a reply submitted by Attorney General Irfan Qadir, the caretaker government refused to put Musharraf on trial for treason under Article 6 of the Constitution. The government said considering, deliberating or commencing any legal proceedings under Article 6 will be a move that is not part of its mandate.

A bench headed by Justice Jawwad Khwaja, which is hearing the petitions against Musharraf, expressed its displeasure at the interim government's reply.

The reply said the decision on filing a treason charge against Musharraf should be left to the winner of the election. It further said the government was busy providing security to candidates contesting the upcoming polls to the national and provincial assemblies.

According to the constitution, only the government has the authority to file treason charges against anyone. A bench headed by Justice Jawwad Khwaja, which is hearing the petitions against Musharraf, expressed its displeasure at the interim government's reply.

Khwaja observed that the court had been seeking an answer from the government for the past eight days and now the administration has said it can do nothing. Khwaja further remarked that in future, the interim government might even say that it cannot file an FIR against Musharraf.

But the Attorney General said the caretaker government should avoid controversial matters that are not reversible by the winner of the election. Caretaker Law Minister Ahmer Bilal Soofi indicated the administration would not defy the apex court if judges ordered it to act.

"All the focus is on the election arrangements. But we will be ready to proceed according to what the court asks us to do," Soofi told reporters.

The Supreme Court put off the case till tomorrow, when the judges will hear arguments by Musharraf's lawyers. Musharraf, 69, was arrested last week after the Islamabad High Court revoked his bail in a case related to the detention of over 60 judges during the 2007 emergency.

He is currently being held at his farmhouse on the outskirts of Islamabad, which has been declared a sub-jail. Meanwhile, Musharraf's lawyers were not allowed to meet him today at his residence, which has been declared a sub-jail, despite an order issued by the Supreme Court.

Prison officials posted at Musharraf's five-acre farmhouse at Chak Shahzad on the outskirts of Islamabad said the lawyers could meet their client only if they got a "no-objection certificate" from the Punjab government.

The former dictator returned to Pakistan last month after nearly four years of self-exile, promising to "save" the country from economic ruin and militancy. However, he was barred from running in the May 11 general election, which will mark the first democratic transition of power in Pakistan's history.

Musharraf faces several serious criminal cases. Lawyers have petitioned the Supreme Court to put him on trial for treason for imposing emergency and he faces charges related to the 2007 assassination of former premier Benazir Bhutto and over the death of Baloch leader Akbar Bugti in a 2006 military operation.